Where the Most and Least Expensive Car Insurance Quotes Can Be Found

A 2014 study conducted by InsuranceQuotes.com shows where people will pay the most for car insurance along with the cities that offer the most affordable pricing. Since where you live has a direct impact on your rates, you may want to know the places to avoid if you are looking for cheap car insurance quotes.

Cities to Avoid

Detroit is the winner of the title of most expensive car insurance. Not only do residents of this metro area pay more, they pay a lot more than the average policyholder. In fact, their rates are 165 percent higher than the average policy cost.

Several factors go into determining the rates of car insurance, so you may wonder why the disparity. One issue is that Detroit has a high rate of uninsured motorists, which means those that are insured end up paying more. Some estimates say the rate could be as a high as 50 percent. Another problem is that Michigan has unlimited personal injury protection, which increases the risk that insurance providers carry anytime they insure a driver.

Also at the top of the list is New York, which is 36 percent above the average, and Miami with 34 percent higher rates. Los Angeles falls in at fourth with 25 percent higher insurance rates. If you live in one of these areas, you are probably paying more than if you lived elsewhere in the country. To offset the higher cost, you can try to obtain car insurance quotes for a higher deductible to see how much you save. Find out about other discounts or ask if a defensive driving course will help reduce your rates.

The Best Places to Live

Want to know the best places to live for cheaper car insurance? The following cities ranked best in the same study.

Charlotte, NC with 43 percent lower rates than the average

Cleveland, OH with 31 percent cheaper rates

Pittsburgh with 24 percent lower rates

Many people consider the cost of repairs and even gas as part of the expense of owning a vehicle, but they may not think about insurance. As this study proves, insurance coverage can be a costly part of car ownership, depending on where you live.

While you may not be able to choose where you live, especially if you are moving for a job, you can use this information to your advantage. Find out ahead of time where your city and state ranks and be prepared for a change in rates. Begin working early to reduce the cost as much as possible. This may include several steps:

Make sure your credit report is accurate to qualify for the best rates

Consider bundling all of your insurance policies with one provider

Look for discounts that you qualify for

Buy a less expensive car

Car insurance can be costly, especially if you live in Detroit or one of the other major metropolitan areas with high rates. That doesn't mean that you can't work to find the best car insurance quotes to help you save money no matter where you live.